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Manchester United move to Mayfair Office Space

Manchester United have done little to dent their reputation for attracting more supporters from London than Manchester, by taking 11,500 sq ft of luxurious office space in Mayfair – one of the most expensive and prestigious locations in London’s West End.

Old Trafford-based football team ManU – perhaps soon to become known as Mayfair United? – previously had a 45-strong back-office team located at St James in Pall Mall, responsible for driving new sponsorship deals around the world.

But the team, which was set up three years ago, soon expanded and required larger office space. This prompted the search for a new base that led the team west to the prestigious Mayfair – home of the United States embassy, the Royal Academy of Arts and The Dorchester.

There is frustration among many Manchester-based fans that the club has become more popular with Londoners than those above the old North-South divide, and some say that the Glazer family are losing touch with the club’s roots. Their latest office move certainly hasn’t helped matters, with many critics claiming that the commercial team should be based in Manchester.

So it begs the question: Why should a team that has flourished in Manchester require an office in London?

The official line is that London is more practical for overseas deals, being more accessible for visitors. It does have accessibility on its side – with several major airports, trainlines, and the underground. But whether this justifies an office in Mayfair at ┬ú80 per sq ft remains to be seen. Let’s not forget that Manchester has its own international airport, multiple transport links, and of course the stadium itself – not to mention cheaper office space, should the club ever need to cut down on expenses.

Just look at the BBC – which is moving several departments from London to Salford this year.

But at the moment the need to save money seems unlikely, given the London team’s impressive track record and the fact that a sponsorship deal with US insurance broker Aon is worth ┬ú20m a year alone.

In fact, according to The Telegraph, the team’s London base has strengthened the club enormously – helping to increase commercial revenues from ┬ú42.5m to ┬ú80m under commercial director Richard Arnold.

So from a business perspective the team are certainly earning their keep, and successfully pushing the club ever forwards – which should help to keep the fans happy.